Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Tracy Franken: Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist 🐾

Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to ā€œprepareā€ yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of ā€œjust good dogsā€ I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!

  1. 3D AGO

    164 | Merry Christmas to You and Your Pack (Yes, I Said Pack)

    Hey there, Dog Lover 🐾 Merry Christmas, my friend.If you’re listening to this with a dog at your feet, on your couch, or watching you from across the room… this episode is for you. Christmas has a way of slowing time—if we let it.It invites us to pause, reflect, and notice what actually makes a home feel safe, warm, and whole. And for our dogs, that magic isn’t found in gifts, routines, or perfectly managed moments.It lives in presence.In shared space.In the quiet rhythm of simply being together. In this Christmas episode, we’re not training anything.We’re reflecting. We’ll talk about: What Christmas really means to our dogs (and why it’s simpler than we think) The comfort of familiar energy, steady leadership, and calm connection Why your dog feels safest when you feel grounded How togetherness—not perfection—is the greatest gift you can give Yes, I may use the word pack… but not in the way you’ve been taught to fear it.Here, pack simply means belonging.A safe social unit.A place where everyone can exhale. This episode is an invitation to let go of expectations, pressure, and ā€œshouldsā€ā€”and to lean into the quiet moments that make this season special. Because leadership during the holidays doesn’t mean managing chaos.It means being the calm inside it. From my home to yours, from my dogs to yours…Merry Christmas. šŸŽ„šŸ¾Thank you for being here, for caring so deeply, and for choosing connection—today and always. Hope you enjoy! Tracy

    5 min
  2. DEC 4

    158 | Are You Coming in Too Hot? Understanding the Fearful Dog's Mind

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾🐾 Ever saw a dog so cute you couldn’t help but just rush over to give them a little pet?(Yeah, me too.) But sometimes we need to pause and consider what our movement means to a dog. In fact, this is one of the biggest—and most misunderstood—reasons fearful dogs struggle to feel safe, even with people who love them dearly. In this episode, we explore what it means to ā€œcome in too hotā€ from your dog’s perspective.We’ll talk about prey-mind vs. predator-mind, body language, and the often-overlooked subtleties of pressure and approach that can either build trust… or blow it. You’ll learn: What ā€œpredator energyā€ looks like from a dog’s point of view How to soften your presence so your dog can breathe Why the way you connect matters more than the thing you do If you’ve ever been told your dog is ā€œweirdā€ or ā€œoverreacting,ā€ this one will shift your lens completely—and help you show up in a way your dog can actually feel safe around. I hope you enjoy this one.Tracy xoxo Next steps: šŸ¾šŸ‘£Join the Fearful Dog: Fearless Framework—our 12-month online coaching program that’s changing the game for reactive, anxious, and misunderstood dogs. When you enroll, you’ll get: Monthly live Zoom Q&A calls and trainings to guide you through the tough stuff Access to a supportive private community of humans walking this same road A Relationship-First Roadmap that helps you lead with calm confidence Real coaching. Real connection. Real change—for you and your dog Because your dog doesn’t need perfect.They need you. Aligned, aware, and ready to lead with heart. Come join us at šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit šŸŽ¶Special thanks to Shawn Trotter ā€“ www.shawntrotter.com

    27 min
  3. DEC 1

    157 | Tossing Treats Making Things Worse for Your Fearful Dog?

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾🐾 You’ve probably heard it beforeā€”ā€œjust toss some treats when your dog sees a trigger, to change their emotional response to the trigger." And yes, that can work.But there’s a small problem...You’re not part of the solution. In this episode, we’re unpacking the popular advice around food, fear, and emotional responses in dogs—especially when it comes to the why behind the behaviour.Because here’s the truth: if you’re not part of the process, you’re missing out on how YOU can influence your dog’s behaviour in a meaningful way. We’ll talk about: Why ā€œtreat and retreatā€ might not be the whole picture The difference between influencing vs. observing behaviour How to build trust from the inside out—not from the sidelines If your dog is still anxious, reactive, or unsure—despite all the food and effort—this one’s for you. I hope you enjoy this one.Tracy xoxo Next steps: šŸ¾šŸ‘£Join the Fearful Dog: Fearless Framework, our signature 12-month online coaching program built for dog lovers just like you.This is where everything changes. Here’s what you’ll get inside: Monthly Zoom Q&A calls and trainings where we tackle your real-life challenges A private, supportive community of people walking the same path Step-by-step lessons on trust, leadership, and relevance—not just rules and techniques Coaching that grows you, not just your dog’s behaviour Your relationship will bloom.Everything gets better and easier when you understand how to be the person your dog needs you to be. Join us at: šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit šŸŽ¶Special thanks to Shawn Trotter ā€“ www.shawntrotter.com

    21 min
4.9
out of 5
64 Ratings

About

Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to ā€œprepareā€ yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of ā€œjust good dogsā€ I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!

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